The subject, youngest son of Jesse, was anointed by the prophet Samuel while tending sheep. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him from that day forward. He entered royal service as a musician for King Saul.

Before the armies of Israel, the subject felled the Philistine champion Goliath with a sling and a stone, attributing the victory to the name of the LORD of hosts. His fame provoked the jealousy of Saul, who pursued him for years.

Though given opportunity, the subject twice refused to harm the LORD's anointed. He was in time made king over Judah and then all Israel, captured Jerusalem, and restored the Ark to the city.

Denied the building of the temple, the subject instead received a covenant promise: an everlasting throne through his offspring. He later fell into grievous sin regarding Bathsheba and Uriah, was confronted by Nathan, and repented.

The subject endured the revolt of his son Absalom, authored a large body of psalms, and prepared materials for the temple. He died in old age and was buried in the City of David. His line is recorded as culminating in the Messiah.